January 14, 2012


Quantum Key West 2012 Sponsors — Race Week Supporters Help Celebrate 25th Anniversary

Key West, Fla — Thanks to an all-star sponsor line-up, the 25th edition of “Key West Race Week” is ready to begin. Key West sponsors have always been one of race week’s critical success factors. Premiere Racing would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank them for their loyalty and support.

Title Sponsor Quantum Sail Design Group, the Official Sailmaker, leads a prestigious roster that includes Day Sponsors Lewmar / Navtec, Official Marine Hardware, Mount Gay® Rum, Official Rum, and Nautica Watches, Official Timekeeper. The Supporting Sponsors are B&G, Official Marine Electronics, Gill / Layline Official Technical Gear and Retailer, Marlow Ropes, Official Rope; and Sebago, Official Footwear.

"We recognize that Key West Race Week is the flagship regatta in this country and has been for well over two decades," said Quantum President Ed Reynolds. "This has been reinforced by many people we've spoken with both here and abroad. Even with the smaller fleet sizes of recent years, this midwinter, big-boat regatta is very important to North American and international sailboat racing.”

“Quantum’s enthusiasm is energizing and the working relationship has been a good situation for Premiere Racing and for the event,” said Event Director Peter Craig. “Having a company that is intimate with the sport in the title position is a first for us. While our Industry Partners have always been involved, Quantum has played an active role and helping us think out of the box”.

Nautica Watches has been Race Week’s Official Timekeeper since 2003. Their representatives will be on site to present their fashion sport line of timepieces. Series, Boat of the Day and Week winners receive watches, as well as the class winners on Nautica Watches Day.

Day Sponsor Lewmar /Navtec, a distinguished leader in the performance sailing industry, is known and respected by boat builders and yacht owners the world over. Lewmar craftsmanship, reliability, innovation and commitment to supporting the marine industry have made their name synonymous with consistent quality. Lewmar has been a sponsor for 13 years. Lewmar / Navtec Day winners and Boat of the Day winners will be presented with the very popular One Touch winch handles.

Mount Gay® Rum — The Rum That Invented Rum — is the finest and the oldest rum Brand in existence. This award winning rum has been produced on Barbados with passion and unparalled excellence since 1703.

“2012 marks the 25th Anniversary of Key West Race Week as well as Mount Gay Rum’s 25th successive sponsorship", says Glen Tibbits, Global Vice President, Marketing Mount Gay Rum “With our premier Brand being synonymous with Sailing and its commitment to the loyal Sailing market, it is a natural association to be at one of the world’s pinnacle regattas. Key West continues to be a valued sponsorship for Mount Gay Rum.”

This is the eighth year that B&G has participated at the Supporting Sponsor level. For years, B&G has been the marine electronics brand of choice among top sailors and yachtsmen, And with good reason. With a 50-year reputation of helping to set records in the world’s toughest events, B&G is trusted for absolute accuracy and unequalled reliability.

Marlow Ropes is back for its fourth year as a supporting sponsor. The Marlow brand has earned an outstanding reputation based on products tried and tested in the world’s harshest environments by elite performance partners. Marlow is one of the only global names in yachting rope with distributors in every continent around the globe. Marlow is distributed in the US by Bainbridge International Inc. The J/80 Class Winner and Midwinter Champion will receive the Marlow Trophy.

Gill, the Official Technical Gear, has been a long-time Industry Partner and event supporter. This year, along with Official Retailer Layline, they have stepped up to a sponsorship level. Special event gear from their line of high quality products will be available on site.

Sebago, the Official Footwear, is new this year. “We are extremely honored to be the official footwear sponsor of Key West Race Week in 2012,” says Gary Malamet, group VP and general manager of Sebago. “Key West Race Week is internationally recognized as one of the most prominent regattas in the world. As a key sponsor of the Quantum Racing Team, our involvement in this event will allow us to support this world championship team and continue our leadership position within the international sailing community.”

Quantum Key West 2012 is also supported by The Florida Keys & Key West Tourism Council, which recognizes the importance of having a world-class, international regatta in Key West every year. The Historic Seaport at the Key West Bight is the Official Marina. The City of Key West and the Key West business community also play an important, long-term role in race week’s success. The Ocean Key Resort and Spa is the Official Hotel. Sapporo USA is the Official Beer Supplier and Regatta Ginger Beer is the Official Ginger Beer.

"We are very grateful to our loyal race week sponsors and industry partners. They all present high quality products and exemplify the best in business practices and customer satisfaction,” said Craig. "We encourage all racing sailors to show their appreciation and patronize these outstanding companies that participate in our sport and provide vital support to events.” 27 Industry Partners bring their support through a program that is now in its 11th year. Quantum Key West 2012 is a US SAILING sanctioned event.

The racing will be conducted under permit in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary protects 2,900 square nautical miles of critical marine habitat, including coral reef, hard bottom, seagrass meadow, mangrove communities and sand flats.


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